Simeon All Access | Tate: 'I want to get away and start school'

Simeon's Jaylon Tate told his mother he's ready to leave the violence of Chicago behind and get to college.

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune

Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune reporter

Arisa Johnson and Bridget Pollard talked about the future, when their sons Jaylon Tate and Kendall Pollard would move to college and away from the violence that rocked the community Wednesday.

Following Simeon's 53-51 victory over Morgan Park, the mothers were headed to a parking lot at Chicago State when they heard shouts to run back into the building. An altercation in the handshake line between the teams had carried over to the parking lot, and 17-year-old Tyrone Lawson was shot and killed.

Two men were taken into custody after the shooting, police said.

"(Jaylon) said, 'I want to get away and start school,'" said Johnson, whose son will play at Illinois. "I said, 'Yeah, I can't wait for that either.'"

"I'm really anxious for him to go to University of Dayton," Bridget Pollard said. "I'm anxious for him to leave."

Simeon coach Robert Smith did not speak to the media after the game, and he cut off the Tribune from access to his team Thursday, stating in a text message that media members were not allowed in the building. Phone calls to Smith, Simeon principal Sheldon House and athletic director Reginald Brock were not returned.

A Chicago Public Schools official confirmed that Simeon's game against Julian on Friday and Morgan Park's game against Perspectives-Calumet on Saturday will be closed to the public.

Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin issued the following statement:

"On behalf of the Morgan Park basketball team, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the young man who was killed Wednesday night after our game against Simeon. There is no comparison between losing a tough basketball game and knowing someone lost their life and did not go home to their family after attending a family event.

"I am deeply saddened by this tragedy that is happening far too often in this city that we love. We will continue to educate our young people on solving their disagreements without violence."